The Sandwich Democratic Town Committee

Historical Snapshot

In 2011 the leadership of the Sandwich Democratic Town Committee, with the initiative and drive of Richard Carey, a Committee member, decided to establish a web site and an electronic newsletter – The Cape & Islands Free Press. With Dick Carey at the helm this new publication grew rapidly in popularity. Its readership extended to Democratic Party leaders, office holders, and activists throughout the state. The popularity of “The Free Press,” as most people called it, was testimony both to Dick’s hard work and the content of the publication.

From the start “The Free Press” focused on political commentary, feature articles, and news items of likely interest to democratic activists. Its web site provided important information about Democratic organizations office holders, and issues both on the Cape and in other parts of the Commonwealth. As readership expanded, and contributions broadened in topic beyond the Cape,  The Cape & Islands Free Press was transformed into The Democratic Free Press. 

Taking advantage of rapidly changing Internet technologies the Sandwich Democratic Town Committee decided to re-design and re-launch its web site in late 2012. The effort reflected political, social, and cultural changes occurring around us. People became increasingly comfortable with once revolutionary changes in the digital world, developed higher expectations for digitally based communications, political networking, news and information, and activism.

As part of this effort the “old” Free Press was integrated into the new SDTC site. The masthead was changed, a fresh branding effort initiated, and a new publication approach adopted. What was once a monthly “print” publication distributed in digital format by email is now a blend of a blog and a “best of” bi-monthly digital “newsletter.”